Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested in NY

WASHINGTON — Police arrested more than 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had staged a sit-in outside the New York Stock Exchange on Monday to demand an end to US support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza, authorities said.

The protesters, many of them from activist groups such as Jewish Voice for Peace, chanted "Let Gaza Live" and "Stop Funding Genocide "in front of the exchange's iconic building near Wall Street in Lower Manhattan.

None of the protesters got inside the stock exchange but dozens crossed a police security fence set up outside its main building.

Police said 206 arrests were made, without providing further details. Jewish groups involved in the protests said about 500 demonstrators attended. The stock exchange had no immediate comment.

The protesters directed anger at US defense contractors and weapons manufacturers. Others chanted slogans against Israeli attacks in Lebanon, where Israel says it is waging war against Hezbollah militants.

"(Hundreds) of Jews and friends are shutting down the New York Stock Exchange to demand the US stop arming Israel and profiting from genocide," Jewish Voice for Peace said on X. Israel denies genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice, and says its military operations in Gaza target Hamas militants.

There was also a much smaller number of pro-Israel counterprotesters at the site, who carried Israeli flags.

The demonstration was the latest expression of anger against US support for Israel's assault on Gaza, which it launched after Hamas killed 1,200 in Israel and took 250 others hostage in the Oct 7, 2023, attacks, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's subsequent military assault on blockaded Gaza has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly the entire population, according to Gaza health officials.

On Tuesday, Israeli military strikes killed at least 50 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces tightened their squeeze around Jabalia in the north of the enclave, amid fierce battles with Hamas fighters.

The United Nations described dire conditions affecting the civilian population remaining in Jabalia, with more than 50,000 people displaced and water wells, bakeries, medical points and shelters shut down.

Agencies Via Xinhua